PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 9th November, 2015

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that in the Primary Health Centre, Bansdih, District Balia, Uttar Pradesh, health worker workers made three women deliver on the floor despite availability of beds. As a result, the three new born died.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the women and new born babies. Accordingly, notices have been issued to the Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Uttar Pradesh and the Chief Medical Officer, Balia calling for reports within two weeks.

According to the media report, carried on the 20th October, 2015, the staff on duty was avoiding the deliveries on the beds so that the bed sheets may not get dirty. Not only this, they were asking the staff of ASHA, in an unauthorized manner, to get the deliveries done. The Tehsildar, on receiving the complaint, visited the Health Centre and the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) reportedly observed that it was a case of gross negligence by the officials of the Primary Health Centre and strict action will be taken against the guilty. He also sent an Additional CMO to investigate the matter.

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